Wind turbine with improved mast assembly

ABSTRACT

A wind turbine including a mast assembly having an upper support structure hingably attached to a lower support structure wherein the mast assembly has an installation position and an operational position. A wind turbine wheel is mounted to the mast assembly having a circular rim disposed at its perimeter and having an axle structure. An electrical generator is supported by the mast assembly and configured to engage with the turbine wheel for generating electricity in response to the rotation of the turbine wheel. A plurality of hydraulic lifts are provided in contact with the upper support structure when the mast assembly is in the installation position and configured to transition the upper support from the installation position to the operational position and wherein at least one hydraulic lift loses contact with the upper support structure during the transition.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention concerns an improved mast assembly for a wind turbine toimprove the ability to construct and maintain a wind turbine and itssupport structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Windmills have been used for many generations for the purpose of pumpingwater from the ground and for generating electricity. A basic advantageof the windmill is that it uses the power of atmospheric wind to rotatea wheel having radially extending blades. This rotary movement may beconverted into various useful purposes. For example, wind turbines inthe form of propellers mounted on towers have been placed in areas wheresteady winds are prevalent and the wind turbines are used to generateelectricity.

The blades of the conventional wind turbines are very large and made ofexpensive rigid material and are constructed to have the blades extendradially from a central hub, with no extra support at the outer tips ofthe blades. The conventional wind turbine blades rotate at a high rateof revolutions and must withstand both the centrifugal forces generatedby the fast revolution of the blades and the cantilever bending forcesapplied to the blades by the wind. Since the outer portions of theblades move at a very high velocity and are engaged by strong winds, thelarger the blades the stronger they must be and the more expensive theybecome. Thus, there is a practical limit as to the length and width ofthe blades.

Another type of wind turbine is one that has sail wings constructed offabric that are a substitute for the rigid blades of the conventionalwind turbines described above. For example U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,330,714,4,350,895, and 4,729,716 disclose wind turbines that use cloth “sails”that catch the wind. The blades of the wind turbine are formed oflighter weight material.

Another wind turbine type has rigid propellers that appear to be rigidlymounted to circular perimeter rims that support the outer ends of thepropellers, as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,233,232 and 6,064,123.

Some of the wind turbines of the patents cited above are constructedwith an outer rim that extends circumferentially about the turbinewheel. Rubber tires are placed in positions to engage the outer rim soas to rotate the rubber tires, with the driven rubber tires rotating therotor of a generator. Thus, the rotation of the wind turbine is used togenerate electricity. Other designs are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos.8,109,727, 7,825,532, 8,134,251, 8,164,212, 8,178,993, 8,487,471,8,174,142, 8,258,645, 8,373,298, 8,466,577 and United States PatentApplication Publications 2014/0271183 and 2014/0265344, all incorporatedby reference.

Prior art wind turbines are mounted on upright towers and the towers aresupported at their bases by mounting the towers in the earth or on someother stable platform. When the wind turbine is in operation with anoncoming brisk wind engaging the angled blades of the turbine wheel, asignificant longitudinal force is transmitted from the blades of theturbine wheel to the upper portion of the tower, tending to tip thetower. This horizontal tipping force usually is significantly greaterthan the circumferential wind force engaging the angled surfaces of theblades of the turbine wheel and causing the rotation of the turbinewheel. This longitudinal force requires the tower for a wind turbine tobe very strong to avoid tipping over.

While wind turbines have found use in open land areas where steady windsare prevalent, the land areas most suitable for catching the wind onwind turbine propeller blades usually are remote from the areas of greatneed of electrical power. Therefore, there is a requirement thatelectrical power be transmitted through conductive cables for longdistances to the areas of need.

Winds generated over large bodies of water, particularly over an ocean,are not confronted with mountains, buildings, and the vegetation of theland masses that tend to slow the velocity of winds. The turbulence ofwind usually is less over water than over land. This may be becausethere is a greater temperature variance between different altitudes overland than over a body of water, apparently because sunlight is absorbedfurther into water than into land, and for comparable conditions, thesurfaces of land become warmer and radiate more heat than the surfacesof water.

One disadvantage is that the wind turbine, by its nature is a largestructure that is position a considerable distance off the ground. Thispresent physical and logistical challenges during the initialconstructions as well as during the maintenance of the wind turbine andits support structure. Construction of the wind turbine horizontallywhere it can later be erected if challenging give the need for cranesand other very large lifting equipment to hoist and secure the windturbine to its support structure. This is especially true forinstallation locations such as off-shore, remote locations, islands, andthe like.

Therefore, it would advantageous to have a support structure that wouldallow the wind turbine to be initially constructed in a horizontaldisposition and then raised to the support structure without the needfor complicated or heavy cranes.

It would also be advantageous to have a support structure that wouldallow the wind turbine to be raised and lowered for maintenance withoutthe need for a separate crane of other hoisting assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Briefly described, this disclosure concerns a wind turbine assembly forgenerating electricity that includes a support, a turbine wheelrotatably mounted on the support about a longitudinally extendingcentral axis, the turbine wheel including a circular rim concentric withand rotatable about the central axis, and an electrical generator in adriven relationship with the turbine wheel.

In one embodiment, a wind driven turbine wheel may be mounted on afloatable support, capable of floating on the surface of a large body ofwater. The floatable support may include a lateral thruster for turningthe wind turbine into the oncoming atmospheric wind.

Another novel feature of the structure may be a wind turbine mounted ona floatable support, with an anchor tied to the wind turbine at aposition high enough to resist tipping forces applied by atmosphericwind to the turbine.

One of the wind turbine assemblies disclosed herein may include afloatable support, a pair of wind turbines mounted side-by-side on thefloatable support and sail wings of one wind turbine each having a pitchopposite to the pitch of the sail wings of the other wind turbine tobalance the gyroscopic effects of the wind turbines.

Another feature of a wind turbine assembly may include an anchor tied tothe bow of a floatable support and a lateral thruster for moving thestern of the floatable support for turning the wind turbine into theatmospheric wind.

Another feature of a wind turbine assembly may include one or more windturbines mounted on a floatable support with an anchor tied directly tothe wind turbines to deter tilting of the wind turbines in response tostrong wind directed into the wind turbines.

Also, the wind turbine may include sail wings formed of fiberglass orother relatively flexible material, with shape control means carried bythe turbine wheel for rotating at least one of the ends of the sailwings about the longitudinal axis of the sail wings to form a pitch ortwist in the sail wings.

The wind turbine assembly may include a floatable support withoutriggers supporting the floatable support in an upright attitude. Turbineanchors may be attached to the wind turbines above the level of thefloatable support and arranged to resist the longitudinal wind forcesapplied to the wind turbines.

Other features and advantages of the structure and process disclosedherein may be understood from the following specification andaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a floating wind turbine, showing theturbine wheel in its upright position.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the wind turbine of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the wind turbine of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the wind turbine of FIG. 1, but showing theturbine wheel tilted in its inoperative position.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the wind turbine of FIG. 4, showing the turbinewheel tilted in its inoperative position.

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of a modified wind turbine wheel,similar to the turbine wheels of FIGS. 1-5, but including anintermediate circular rim that is concentric with the outer circularperimeter rim, with inner sail wings supported between the axlestructure and the intermediate support rim and outer sail wingssupported between the intermediate support rim and the outer circularperimeter rim.

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of a double wind turbine, having a pairof wind turbine wheels mounted on a common floatable support.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the double wind turbine of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the double wind turbine of FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of a double wind turbine similar toFIG. 7, but including a modified anchoring structure.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the wind turbine of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is an isolated view of one of the wind sails of the windturbines of FIGS. 1-8.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a lateral thruster that is mounted tothe floatable support of FIGS. 1-8.

FIG. 14 is a side view of a turbine wheel, the type shown in FIGS. 1-8,but showing more details of the lower portion of the rotor and stator ofthe wind turbine.

FIG. 15 is a side elevation view of the electrical generator of FIG. 11,showing more details of the electrical generator.

FIG. 16 is a close-up, cross sectional view of a portion of the rotorand stator of the electrical generator of FIGS. 12 and 13, showing theouter perimeter rim of the turbine wheel that functions as a rotor ofthe generator at the bottom of its circular path, and showing thecentral portion of the stator.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the rotor inverted from FIG. 4.

FIG. 18 is a close-up of another detail view of an electrical generator,showing the outer perimeter rim that drives the generator through pairedwheels that engage the perimeter rim of the wind turbine.

FIG. 19 is a front elevation view of a double wind turbine, having apair of wind turbine wheels mounted on a common floatable support, andout riggers that stabilize the floatable support.

FIG. 20 is a side elevation view of the double wind turbine of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a top view of the double wind turbine of FIGS. 19 and 20.

FIGS. 22A through 22C are side elevation views of aspects of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now in more detail to the drawings in which like numeralsindicate like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 shows a windturbine 20 that is designed for catching the wind and rotating for thepurpose of generating electricity. The wind turbine includes a turbinewheel 22 having an outer perimeter 23 formed by a series of angle braces24 and an outer perimeter circular rim 26 that extends continuouslyabout the turbine wheel. The outer perimeter circular rim may be formedof arcuate segments, and as explained in more detail hereinafter, theperimeter rim may function as the rotor of an electrical generator, ormay function to drive a rotor of an electrical generator.

An axle structure 28 is at the center of the turbine wheel 22 and aplurality of sail wing assemblies 30 are mounted to the axle structure28 and extend radially toward the angle braces 24 that form theperimeter of the turbine wheel. The turbine wheel rotates about thecentral axis 29.

The wind turbine assembly may be used on a body of water such as anocean or lake 31 where the atmospheric wind 37 usually is of highervelocity, less turbulent and more predictable than the atmospheric windover a land mass. When used on water, the turbine assembly may include afloatable support 33, such as a pontoon boat, barge or other suitablefloatable support. The floatable support of FIGS. 1-5 is a pontoon boathaving parallel pontoons 35 and 36. The wind turbine assemblies of FIGS.1-5 include a foldable tower assembly 32 that includes a pair of towerarms 32A and 32B that are connected at their lower end portions topontoons 36 and 35, respectively, and converging upwardly toward oneanother in a vertical plane to an upward apex that is in support of thebearing housing 38 at the axial structure 28 of the turbine wheel 22.The tower arms 32A and 32B are foldable about their lower ends to anattitude more horizontal, as shown in FIG. 5, so that the turbine wheel22 moves more toward a supine position over the pontoons 35 and 36.

Stabilizing arms 40 and 41 are parallel to one another and slopedupwardly from the pontoon boat and are pivotally mounted to the bearinghousing 38. The lower ends of the stabilizing arms 40 and 41 arereleasably connected to the cross frames of the pontoon boat, such ascross frame 44. When the turbine wheel 22 is to be tilted toward itssupine position, the lower ends of the stabilizing arms 40 and 41 aredetached from the cross frame member 44, allowing the turbine wheel 22to tilt toward its supine position.

Hydraulic cylinder 46 is mounted at its lower end to depending framework48 and at its upper end to the bearing housing 38. When the hydrauliccylinder 46 is distended, it holds the foldable tower assembly 32 in itsupright attitude, allowing the stabilizing arms 40 and 41 to beconnected at their lower ends to the cross frame member 44, therebyholding the turbine wheel 22 in its upright position. However, when thestabilizing arms 40 and 41 are disconnected at their lower ends from thecross frame member 44, the hydraulic cylinder 46 may be retracted,causing the turbine wheel 22 to tilt toward its supine position as shownin FIG. 5.

The foldable support may be used when transporting the wind turbineassembly to and from its site of operation, and for maintenance orrepair. The wind turbine also may be supported on a non-foldable, morepermanent upright tower carried by the floatable support, if desired.

The floatable support 33 of the wind turbine assembly 20 is consideredto have a bow at 50 and a stern at 52. The turbine wheel 22 faces thebow 50. Lateral thrusters 54 may be mounted to the pontoons 35 and 36,typically at the stern 52 of the pontoons. The bow 50 may be connectedby a first anchor line 55 or other appropriate means to an anchor suchas to an anchored buoy 56 that functions as an anchor. The anchor 56 maycomprise a pier, anchor, dock, or other means that generally is notmovable from a designated position in or adjacent a body of water. Theanchor line 55 may be a chain, cable, twisted hemp rope or otherconventional means or combination of these and other connectors forconnecting the floatable support to an anchor.

When the atmospheric wind 37 moves against the wind turbine assembly 20,the anchor (buoy, pier, etc.) to which the wind turbine assembly is tiedstabilizes the bow 50 of the floatable support, usually causing the windturbine assembly to move downwind of its anchor. In order to assure thatthe turbine wheel 22 faces the oncoming atmospheric wind, the lateralthrusters 54 shown in FIGS. 1-5 and 11 may be actuated in response to awind direction finder (not shown), tending to turn the floatable supportand, therefore, the turbine wheel more directly into the atmosphericwind.

The lateral thruster 54 of FIG. 11 typically is mounted to the stern 52of the floatable support 33, as shown in FIGS. 1-5, so that the anchor56, 60, etc. stabilizes the bow of the floatable support while thelateral thrusters tend to swing the stern in alignment with the bow andatmospheric wind. This assures that the turbine wheel 22 more directlyfaces the oncoming atmospheric wind, taking advantage of the windmovement through the sail wing assemblies 30, causing efficient rotationof the turbine wheel 22. Lateral thrusters, sometimes known as “bowthrusters” are conventional in the art and may be found at MabruThrusters, Miami, Fla. 33142.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the anchor, such as a buoy 56, pier or otherstationary docking point 58 for the wind turbine assembly includes anelectrical connection (not shown) to the electrical generator 150 of thewind turbine assembly 20 and an electrical conductor 62 to a receiverthat may be on an adjacent land mass for transmitting the electricalpower generated by the wind turbine assembly.

The turbine wheel and its floatable support may be very large in length,width and height. Because of the uncontrolled velocity of theatmospheric wind and because of the large height and other large sizedimensions of the wind turbine assembly, it is desirable to constructthe wind turbine assembly so that it resists capsizing or tilting orother deviation from facing the atmospheric wind and is desirable tominimize the application of longitudinal and other horizontal forces tothe tower 32 and its stabilizing arms 40 and 41. As shown in FIG. 2, inaddition or alternatively, a second anchor line 57 may be connected atone of its ends to the axle structure 28 of the turbine wheel 22 andconnected at its other end to an anchor 59. The second anchor line 57may be made of materials the same as or similar to those described abovefor the first anchor line. The second anchor 59 may be any device thatresists movement, including stationary structures such as piers, buoys,conventional anchors, and other devices suitable for holding the windturbine assembly in its predetermined position, including but notlimited to those described above for the first anchor. Typically, if theanchor line is to be connected to a submerged anchor, the anchor lineshould be long enough to have a length to height ratio of at least aboutseven to one.

The connection of the second anchor line 57 to the axle structure 28 ofthe turbine wheel 22 is at the center of the wind forces applied to theturbine wheel. The centered connection of the anchor line to the turbinewheel provides a balanced longitudinal support for the wind turbine,directly opposite to the direction of the on-coming wind 37, andrelieves force otherwise applied by the turbine wheel to the towerstructure that extends from the turbine wheel to the floatable support.Since the turbine wheel usually is centered over an intermediate portionof the floatable support, the restraining forces applied by the anchorline to down-wind movement of the wind turbine assembly tend to maintainthe wind turbine assembly in its upright attitude and facing theoncoming atmospheric wind. The connection of the anchor line 57 to theaxle structure is at the upper end portion of the tower assembly 32opposes and resists the longitudinal forces applied by the oncoming windforces that are being applied to the wind turbine wheel 22. Thus, theforce applied by the anchor line resists the tipping of the tower 32 andallows the tower structure to be less strong, less expensive and lighterthan would be required without the anchor 59 and anchor line 57.

FIG. 6 shows a modified form of the turbine wheel. Turbine wheel 64includes an outer rim 66 and an intermediate rim 68, both rims beingcircular and concentric with the axis of rotation of the turbine wheel.A plurality of inner sail wings 70 extends between the axle structureand the intermediate rim 68, and a plurality of outer sail wings 72extends between the intermediate circular rim 68 and the outer circularrim 66. The pitch of the outer sail wings 72 typically will be differentfrom the pitch of the inner sail wings 70 since the circular velocity ofthe outer sail wings is greater than the circular velocity of the innersail wings. Also, the use of the intermediate circular rim 68 stabilizesthe inner and outer sail wings so that the total length of the inner andouter sail wings 70 and 72 may be greater than the length available on asingle set of sail wings.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the axle structure 28 of the turbinewheel is of greater thickness than the circular perimeter rim 26. Aplurality of spokes 76 extend from the ends of the axle structure 28outwardly and converge into a supporting relationship with respect tothe circular perimeter rim 26. This provides lateral and radialstability to the circular perimeter rim 26.

FIGS. 7-9 show a wind turbine assembly 80 that is a “twin” assembly ofthe wind turbine assembly of FIGS. 1-5, that includes turbine wheels 82and 83 that are substantially identical to the turbine wheel 22 of FIGS.1-5. The floatable support 33 is modified so as to provide a centralpontoon 84, with parallel outer pontoons 86 and 88, all pontoonssupporting the turbine wheels as described in connection with FIGS. 1-5.

The sail wings 90 of one turbine wheel 82 may be oriented with a pitchso that the atmospheric wind will rotate the turbine wheel in aclockwise direction, whereas the sail wings 90 of the other turbinewheel 83 are oriented at a reverse pitch from that of the turbine wheel82. This causes the turbine wheels to rotate in opposite directions whenfacing the oncoming atmospheric wind. This tends to neutralize thegyroscopic effect of the rotation of the turbine wheels of the twin windturbine assembly 80.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show a twin wind turbine assembly, similar to FIGS. 7-9,but having the anchor line 85 connected at its distal end to the anchor86 and connected at its proximal end to a horizontal cross brace 87 thatfunctions as a horizontal tower. The horizontal cross brace 87 isconnected at its end portions to the housing of the axle structure 28 ofeach turbine wheel. A rigid connector 88 is connected at one of its endsto the horizontal brace 87 and extents forwardly between the turbinewheels 82, 83 and connects to the more flexible anchor line 85. Thisavoids contact between the more flexible anchor line 85 and the turbinewheels 82, 83. This places the longitudinal support applied by theanchor 86 and anchor line 85 at the axial center of the turbine wheels,at the desired mid-height of the turbine wheels, above the base of thetower, where the force applied by the anchor is centered at the axlestructure of each turbine.

FIG. 12 shows one of the sail wing assemblies 30. The sail wing assemblyincludes a sail wing 92 formed of a flexible material, such as sailcloth or thin fiberglass or other material that is able to bend whenformed in an elongated shape. The sail wing 92 includes a longitudinalaxis 94, opposed side edges 95 and 96, and inner and outer ends 97 and98. Support cables 100, 101 extend through the sail wing 92 adjacent theopposed side edges 95 and 96, and extend through the inner end and outerend of the sail wing.

The shape control means are positioned at the ends of the sail wing 92.The shape control means includes a laterally extending end support 103at the inner end 97 of the sail wing 92 and a similar laterallyextending end support 104 at the outer end 98 of the sail wing. Thelaterally extending end supports 103 and 104 are connected at their endsto the support cables. The laterally extending end supports 103 and 104are rotatable about their mid-lengths which are aligned with thelongitudinal axis 94 of the wind sail, as indicated by arrows 113 and114. The rotation of the laterally extending end supports causes theends of the cables 100 and 101 to be rotated about the longitudinal axis94 of the sail wing 92. When the ends of the cables are rotated in thesame direction, the sail wings develop a pitch for catching theatmospheric wind. When the cables are rotated in opposite directions,the sail wings develop a twist along the length of the sail wing.

The material of the sail wing 92 can be made stronger or weaker atdifferent intervals along its length, typically by reducing the densityof the material of the sail wing in certain areas. This allows the sailwing to twist more at the weakened areas than at the stronger areas. Forexample, the area designated at 106 is a weakened area so that when theouter end 98 is turned with respect to the inner end 97, the sail wingis twisted. The sail wing tends to twist more in the weakened area 106than in its strong areas, allowing for a variable pitch to be formedalong the length of the sail wing.

As shown in FIG. 12, the laterally extending end support 104 at theouter end of the sail wing is connected to the slewing ring 108 that isconnected in turn to the angle braces 24 (FIGS. 1-5) at the perimeterrim of the turbine wheel, and a motor driven gear 110 may engage theslewing ring and control the rotary movement of the laterally extendingend support 104. A similar laterally extending end support 103 isconnected to a slewing ring 107 at the inner axle structure 28, and themotor driven gear 110 may function to rotate the laterally extendingwing support 103.

With this arrangement, the slewing rings 107 and 108 and the laterallyextending end supports 103 and 104, and the support cables 100 and 101function as shape control means for adjusting the pitch and twist ofeach of the sail wings. The shape control means may function to impart alongitudinal twist to the sail wings.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, at least one electrical generator 170 ispositioned at the lower arc of the circular perimeter rim of the turbinewheel. The rotary movement of the circular perimeter rim is used todevelop electrical power.

One type of electrical generator 150 is illustrated in FIGS. 14-17 ofthe drawings. The outer perimeter circular rim 126 of the turbine wheel22 functions as the rotor of the generator. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16,a stator assembly 172 is mounted at the perimeter of the turbine wheel122 and is positioned to receive the outer perimeter circular rim 126that functions as the rotor of the generator. The rotor 126 is formed inarcuate segments about the perimeter of the turbine wheel, and eacharcuate segment of the rotor includes its own coils 160.

As shown in FIG. 17, the rotor segments each includes an enclosedhousing 154 having flat opposed side walls 155 and 156, inner end wall158, and outer end wall 159. The electrical coils 160 are positioned inthe closed housing with a space 162 formed between the coils 160 and theouter end wall 159. Cooling fins 164 extend from the outer end wall 159for strength and for the purpose of extracting heat from the rotor 126.Also, a cooling liquid, such as oil 166, occupies some of the spaceabout the coils 160. The cooling liquid 166 may not completely fill theinside of its rotor segment, leaving a space inside the rotor segment.As the turbine wheel rotates, the segments of the rotor 126 will beinverted with FIG. 16 showing a segment of the rotor at the lower arc ofits rotation, and FIG. 17 showing a segment of the rotor when it ispassing over the upper arc of its rotation. The cooling liquid 166 isinfluenced by gravity and by centrifugal force to move within theinterior of the rotor 126, making contact with the coils and with theinterior facing surfaces of the opposed side walls 155 and 156 and theinterior facing surfaces of the inner end wall 158 and outer end wall159. This tends to transmit the heat of the coils to the walls of therotor, so as the rotor moves away from and then back towards the stator,the cooling fins 164 and the external surfaces of the walls of the rotortend to shed their heat.

As shown in FIG. 16, stator 152 includes stator halves 170 and 171 thatare positioned on opposite sides of the path of the rotor 126 as therotor rotates on the turbine wheel 122. Stator halves 170 and 171 may besubstantially identical and each includes a substantially cup-shapedstator housing 172 having its opening 174 facing the opposed side walls155 and 156 of the rotor 126. The edges 176 about the cup-shaped statorhousings each have a flat rim facing the rotor, the rims are shaped forforming the air escaping from the stator housings into a film of airbetween each stator housing and the rotor, such that an air bearing isformed between the stator housings and the rotor. The air bearingreduces the friction between the rotor and the stators.

The coils 160 of the stator halves are maintained in a juxtapositionwith the rotor 126 by the stator housings 172.

A space 182 is formed in the cup-shaped stator housing behind the statorcoils 180, with the space forming an air passage for the movement of airthrough the coils of the stator. An air conduit 184 communicates withthe space 182 of each stator housing 172 to supply air 198 to the airpassages 182, 184 behind the stator coils 160 so that the air moves fromthe air source 198 and through the air passage 182 through the statorcoils 180, cooling the stator coils. After the air moves through andabout the stator coils the air passes between the flat face of the rotor126 and edges 176 of the cup-shaped stator housing 172. As the airpasses the edges 176 of the cup-shaped stator housings 172, the airforms an air bearing between the stator housings 172 and the facingsurfaces of the rotor 126. The air moving from the edges of the statorhousings forms the air bearing against the flat facing surfaces of therotor 126 that assures that the stator housings will not frictionallyengage the surfaces of the rotor.

The turbine wheel may be of very large diameter, in excess of 100 feetin diameter. When the turbine wheel of such great size is rotated, it islikely that the rotor segments 126 will not follow exactly the samepaths, such that the rotor segments may experience a lateral wobblingmotion as they move through the stators, and/or move shallower or deeperinto the stator assembly 172. Because of the likelihood of thismovement, it is desirable to have the stator move laterally in responseto the lateral motions of the rotor, and it is desirable to have therotor built with a height that is greater than the height of the statorso that the stator can always be in the electrical field of the coils ofthe rotor.

As shown in FIG. 15, in order to accommodate the likely lateral motionof the rotor 126, the stator assembly 152 includes a support platform186, with a support frame having stator support rails 188 mounted on thesupport platform. The stator housings 172 are mounted on the supportrails 188 by means of rollers, such as rollers 190 that may travel alongthe stator support rails 188. Inflatable bellows 192 are positioned onthe closed sides of the stator housings 192. The bellows 192 are in theshape of air bags connected at one end each to a stator housing 192 andsupported at the distal ends by the support frame 187 of the stator.When the bellows 192 are inflated, they urge the stator housings 192toward engagement with the rotor 126, with the air bearing at the edgesof the stator housings helping to avoid the stator housings fromcontacting the rotor. Equal pressures are maintained in the inflatablebellows 192 on both sides of the stator housings so that when the rotormoves laterally, the bellows tend to urge the stators in the samelateral direction of movement of the rotor. Thus, the air bags functionas a first biasing means engaging said stator housings for urging saidstators toward said rotor.

In order to assure that the stators will relieve their force towards therotor at times when the generator is to be deactivated, coil tensionsprings 194 extend from the lateral support structure 187 to the statorhousings 172, tending to urge the stator housings away from the rotor.Thus, the springs function as a second biasing means engaging saidstator housings for urging said stators away from said rotor.

FIG. 15 illustrates the air supply system for the stator assembly 152.An air supply device of conventional design (not shown) communicateswith the air conduit system 200. The pressurized air 198 flows to theinflatable bellows 192 through conduits 202 at opposite ends of thestator, through an air pressure regulator 204, and an air pressurerelease valve 206, to the series of bellows 192. The air pressure to thebellows is regulated by the air pressure regulators 204 to apply thestator housings 192 towards the rotor 126, with equal pressure appliedto the bellows on both sides of the rotor.

Air pressure relief valves 206 function to discharge the air from thebellows 192 when the air pressure drops below a predetermined value.This allows springs 194 to move the stator housings away from the rotorwhen air pressure is depleted.

Likewise, the air pressure control valves 208 control the movement ofair through conduit 184 to the stator housings 192 as previouslydescribed. This maintains the cooling of the stator coils andestablishes the air bearing at the edges of the cup-shaped statorhousings with respect to the facing surfaces of the rotor 126.

Referring to FIG. 22A, the mast assembly shown generally as 300 caninclude an upper support structure 302 hingeably connected to a lowersupport structure 304 by support structure hinge 306. The upper supportstructure, shown in the lowered position, can support the electricalgenerator 150 and the bearing housing 38. A base platform 308 can beincluded and can be attached to the lower support structure, independentof the lower support structure or removably attached to the lowersupport structure. The base platform can have attached to it one or morelifts such as hydraulic lifts 310 a through 310 c.

When the upper support structure is in the horizontal position, theforce needed to lift the support structure is the greatest as thegravity vector is generally vertical in relation to the ground orplatform supporting the base platform and lower support structure. Toaccount for the gravity vector change as the support structure iserected, the first hydraulic lift can be disposed closers to the bearinghousing to provide initial lifting from closer to the load of thesupport structure and attached components such as the bearing housingand load of the wind turbine on the mast support. A second hydrauliclift can be disposed between the first hydraulic lift and the lowersupport structure. In one embodiment, a third hydraulic lift can bepositioned generally near the lower support structure so that the secondhydraulic lift is disposed between the first and third hydraulic lifts.

The first hydraulic lift disposed closest to the bearing housing caninclude a roller on its distal end 314 a that can contact the uppersupport structure and as the first hydraulic lift extends, it can rollalong the upper support structure forcing the upper support structure torotate in a direction shown as 316 about the support structure hinge tomove into an operation position. The second hydraulic lift and thirdhydraulic lift also can apply upward force in conjunction andcooperation with the first hydraulic lift to raise the upper supportstructure. The first hydraulic lift can rotate about the base platformto generally maintain an orthogonal orientation un relation to the uppersupport structure.

Referring to FIG. 22B, the mast assembly is shown transitioning from aconstruction/maintenance position to an operational position. The firsthydraulic lift has completed lifting the upper support structure to acertain height and once it reaches generally is full extension length,loses contact with the upper support structure as the upper supportstructure continues to be lifted by the second or third or bothhydraulic lifts. As the first hydraulic lift can be rotatably attachedto the base platform and as it losses contact with the upper supportstructure it can contact a first stop 312 a preventing it from rotatinginto the adjacent hydraulic lift.

The second hydraulic lift 310 b can also loses contact with the uppersupport structure as the mast assembly is erected and can also beprevent from rotating into the adjacent lift by stop 312 b. As the uppersupport structure is erected, the force gravity force vectors shift fromgenerally vertical in the installation/maintenance position to generallyvertical in the operational position. In the transition as the gravityforce vector transitions, less upward force is needed rotate the uppersupport structure so that the transition can be accomplished with lesslifts as each lift loses contact with the upper support.

Referring to FIG. 22C, the mast assembly is shown in the operationalposition. The third hydraulic lift is shown in contact with the uppersupport structure to support the mast assembly in the operationalposition. The third hydraulic lift 310 c can also lose contact with theupper support structure when the mast assembly is in the operationposition. In this embodiment, the third hydraulic lift can contact athird stop 312 c to prevent the lift from contact the mast assembly whencontact is lost. A anchor line 57 can be attached to the axle structure28 to assist in holding the mast assembly in the operational position.The anchor line can be attached to a winch 318 or other anchor assembly.The winch or other anchor assembly can be attached to the lower supportstructure, separate from the lower support structure or removableattached to the lower support structure. The winch can also be used toassist in transitioning the mast assembly between its various positions.

While it is anticipated that the above described adjustable positioningfeatures of the stator will be sufficient to have the stator housingsaccurately follow the lateral movements of the rotor, the air from theair source 198 also may be used to form an air bearing between thesupport platform 186 and its support surface 212. The perimeter of thesupport platform 186 is formed with a downwardly extending rim 214 thatforms a closed space 216 between the bottom surface of the supportplatform 186 and the upwardly facing surface 212 of the support. Air ismoved through the downwardly extending conduit 218 to the space 216,generating enough upward force to lift the support platform, therebyforming spaces beneath the perimeter rim 214 with the movement ofescaping air 220. The escaping air 220 forms an air bearing beneath thesupport platform 186, allowing the support platform to move in a lateraldirection, following the lateral motions of the rotor 126.

FIG. 18 shows another type of electrical generator. The perimeter rim226 of the turbine wheel includes opposed, laterally outwardly facingsurfaces 228 and 229 that move in unison with the turbine wheel 22A. Apair of rotary members, such as rubber tires 230 and 231 are supportedin engagement with the outwardly facing surfaces 228 and 229,respectively, of the perimeter rim 226. The tires are supported on axles232 and 233, and the axles are connected to the electrical generators234 and 235, respectively, through gear boxes 236 and 237. Turnbuckle240 is connected at its opposite ends by bearings 242 and 243 to theaxles 232 and 233, respectively. The turnbuckle is tightened so that thetires 230 and 231 make firm and resilient engagement with opposedsurfaces of the perimeter rim 226 of the turbine wheel.

The electrical generators 234 and 235 are mounted on wheels 242 and 243,respectively, and the wheels engage rail 245.

It is anticipated that the diameter of the turbine wheel 20A shall belarge, in some instances more than 100 feet in diameter. Because of thegreat size of the turbine wheel and because of slight lateral movementof the turbine wheel induced by intensity and direction of theatmospheric winds, the perimeter rim 226 is likely to move laterally, aswell as in its circular path. The arrangement of the support system forthe rotary members 230 and 231 is formed so as to compensate for thelateral movement. For example, if the perimeter rim 226 at its lower arcof FIG. 18 moves to the left of FIG. 18, the rotary members 230 and 231,as well as their attached components, including the gear boxes 236 and237, turnbuckle 240, and electrical generators 234 and 235 are free tomove to the left, by the rollers 242 and 243 moving along the rails 245.Likewise, movement to the right is accommodated in the same way.

FIGS. 19-21 show a double wind turbine 260, having a pair of windturbine wheels 262 and 264 mounted on a common floatable support 266,and out riggers 268 that stabilize the floatable support. The outriggers 268 each include laterally extending support arms 270A-270F thatsupport submerged sea anchors 272A-272F and their suspension lines 274.

When the floatable support 266 rolls, the lines connected to the seaanchors on the side of the floatable support that tilts downwardly tendto go slack while the lines connected to the sea anchors on the otherside of the floatable support that tilts upwardly tend to resist upwardmovement. This tends to reduce the rolling of the floatable support andthe wind turbine assemblies supported on the floatable support.

Although the sea anchors 272 and their riggings are disclosed inconnection with the double wind turbines of FIGS. 19-21, it will beunderstood that the sea anchors may be used in connection with thesingle wind turbine assemblies such as shown in FIGS. 1-5 and 7-11, andin connection with other forms of this invention.

While the expression “electrical generator” has been used herein, itshould be understood that this term may identify other rotary devicesthat may be driven by the wind turbines disclosed herein, such asalternators, pumps, etc.

While several drawing figures illustrate the turbine assemblies mountedon floatable supports, it should be understood that the structuresdisclosed herein may be used on wind turbine assemblies that are mountedon non-floating supports. For example, the second anchor line 57 may beused on land-mounted wind turbines, by connecting the anchor line to aground anchor.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that while theforegoing description sets forth in detail preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, modifications, additions, and changes might be madethereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, asset forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wind turbine assembly for generatingelectricity, comprising: a mast assembly having an upper supportstructure hingably attached to a lower support structure wherein themast assembly has an installation position and an operational position;a wind turbine wheel mounted to the mast assembly having a circular rimdisposed at its perimeter and having an axle structure; an electricalgenerator supported by the mast assembly and configured to engage withthe turbine wheel for generating electricity in response to the rotationof the turbine wheel; a first hydraulic lift in contact with the uppersupport structure when the mast assembly is in the installation positionand configured to transition the upper support from the installationposition to the operational position and wherein the first hydrauliclift is configured to lose contact with the upper support structureduring the transition; a second hydraulic lift in contact with the uppersupport structure disposed adjacent to the first hydraulic lift when themast assembly is in the installation position and configured totransition the upper support from the installation position to theoperational position and wherein the second hydraulic lift is configuredto lose contact with the upper support structure after the firsthydraulic lift loses contact with the upper support structure during thetransition; a third hydraulic lift in contact with the upper supportstructure disposed between the second hydraulic lift and the lowersupport structure when the mast assembly is in the installation positionand configured to transition the upper support from the installationposition to the operational position; and, an anchor line attached tothe axle structure at one end and an anchor on the other end wherein theanchor line is configured to assist in holding the mast assembly in theoperational position.
 2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the first,second and third hydraulic lifts are carried by the lower supportstructure.
 3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the hydraulic lifts arerotatably attached to a base platform.
 4. The assembly of claim 3wherein a winch is attached to a base platform.
 5. The assembly of claim4 wherein the anchor line is attached to the winch and the winch isconfigured to assist in transitioning the mast assembly between theinstallation position and the operational position.
 6. The assembly ofclaim 1 wherein: the first hydraulic lift is rotatably attached to abase platform; and, a first stop operatively associated with the firsthydraulic lift wherein the first stop is configured to prevent the firsthydraulic lift from over rotating when it loses contact with the uppersupport structure.